The Arab League has agreed to ask the United Nations Security Council to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.

Diplomats at the emergency meeting of the League in Cairo have also voted to begin talks with the national council of rebel groups opposing the regime of Moamar Gaddafi.

Only Algeria and Syria opposed the motion, as Mr Gaddafi's regime had its membership of the League suspended.

NATO said regional support was a key condition it would need to begin applying an air exclusion zone over the strife-torn country.

The 30-member national rebel council has already been recognised by France as the legitimate representative body of the Libyan people.

Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa says the group decided that "serious crimes and great violations" committed by the government of Mr Gaddafi against his people has stripped it of legitimacy.

"We want to protect the civilian population in Libya after what has been reported of attacks and casualties and a very tense situation; very bloody situation," he said.

"As for anything about the post-Gaddafi situation, we have not addressed that point."

But it is not immediately clear how Russia and China, who have veto rights in the Security Council and have publicly opposed a no-fly zone, will react to a call for action from a regional body.

The terms of any no-fly zone will have to be agreed carefully and time may be working against the rebels.

Its general aim would be to stop Mr Gaddafi using his air force in attacking rebel forces, transport and reconnaissance.

There are clear signs that even if a no-fly zone was implemented on the east Libyan front, rebels would be overwhelmed by Mr Gaddafi's superiority in armoured ground forces.

Libya's flat desert terrain favours the use of heavy armour and air power. The Libyan army is also better trained and more disciplined than the rag-tag, though enthusiastic, rebel force.

The rebels have repeatedly called for foreign countries to impose a no-fly zone to stop air strikes on cities, while insisting they do not want military intervention on the ground.

Meanwhile, reports suggest Mr Gaddafi's forces have seized control of the oil town of Ras Lanuf, forcing rebels to retreat further east.

The loyalist army looks set to overcome the town of Brega in the coming days.

The rebels were in full flight, conceding another 50 kilometres on the road away from Ras Lanuf as they were harassed by air strikes.

The Ras Lanuf oil refinery remains ablaze amid fears that if the Gaddafi loyalists take Brega, they could next target the large rebel stronghold of Ajdabiya or even out-flank the rebels and push to the west of Benghazi, sealing off the rebel capital.

Meanwhile, an Al-Jazeera cameraman has been killed in an ambush near Benghazi, the Arab satellite news channel said on Saturday.

It is the first reported death by a foreign media outlet of a journalist in Libya.

"Ali Hassan al-Jaber has been martyred after his crew was ambushed in the region of Hawari near Benghazi," the television said, without specifying who was behind the ambush or what day it took place.